 |
| Former world number one Serena Williams |
Former world number one Serena Williams must rethink her approach to Grand Slams after her latest bid to win a record-equalling 24th major prize came unstuck at Melbourne Park, her coach Patrick Mouratoglou has said. The 38-year-old American, who is looking to match Australian great Margaret Courtโs record, has reached four Grand Slam finals since giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but failed to win any of them.
She arrived at this yearโs Australian Open having won the Auckland Classic title but was beaten by Chinaโs Wang Qiang in the third round.
โWe have to accept the fact that itโs not working,โ Mouratoglou told the BBC.
โWe have to face reality, but sheโs positive that she can make it, otherwise she probably wouldnโt be on a tennis court anymore. She believes she can and I believe it too. Sheโs not that far, but we have to change a few things.
โMaybe come back with a different angle, strategy and goals so she can make it. She does feel positive, she feels negative too because itโs a failure when she doesnโt win a Grand Slam.โ
Mouratoglou said time was not on Williamsโ side in the pursuit of the record.
โShe had everything to retire, 23 Grand Slam titles โฆ itโs difficult to know how many chances sheโll have, I donโt know how long sheโs going to be able to play, but being able to reach four Grand Slam finals says a lot about her level.
โHer level is good enough but we have to understand whatโs going on, why sheโs not able to win. Thereโs a big difference between reaching a final and winning one.โ
REUTERS
